Extension table having hinged apron



Feb. 14, 1956 E. s. ELLES ET AL 2,734,788

EXTENSION TABLE HAVING HINGED APRON SECTION Filed Aug. 21, 1953 u 30 :0 He. 1

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EDWAD S, ELLES HBE'YNRY HAWLEY ATTOR N E Y United States Patent EXTENSION TABLE HAVING HINGED APRON SECTION Edward S. Elles, Charlotte, and Henry C. Hawley, Lowell, assignors to Superior Furniture Company, Lowell, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application August 21, 1953, Serial No. 375,693

1 Claim. (Cl. 311-62) This invention relates to extension tables and more particularly to an extension table in which the side aprons are divided at some point, normally at the center, whereby they open when the table is extended to leave a gap exposing the nnderstructure of the table.

This invention provides a special apron section, matching the main apron ornamentally, which is movable to fill the gap between the ends of the divided apron when the table is extended.

The fact that extension tables when extended leave an unsightly gap between the ends of the separated apron exposing the functional understructure, has long been a problem in the furniture industry. The existence of this gap gives the table an unfinished appearance. Heretofore the only known solution for this problem was that of placing a thin metallic sheet over the outside of the apron to cover the gap. This sheet was fixed to the table top and seated over the outside of the apron to cover the aprons when the table was closed. It had suflicient length to entirely cover the gap in the apron when the table was extended. This is not an entirely satisfactory solution in wooden tables particularly because the metallic cover was an obvious camouflage. Further, metallic pieces are not desirable when added to high quality, wooden furniture. Our invention overcomes these difliculties.

These and other advantages of our invention will be immediately seen by those acquainted with the design and construction of furniture upon reading the following specification and the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a closed extension table equipped with our invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of the table shown in Fig. 1 but in extended position.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, enlarged, sectional view taken along the plane III-III of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, sectional, elevation view taken along the same plane as Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation view of a partially extended table equipped with a modified version of our invention.

Fig. 6 is an oblique view of the bottom of a leaf for an extension table equipped with our invention.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, bottom view of the table (Fig. 5) such view being taken along the plane VII-VII of Fig. 5.

In executing the objects and purposes of our invention, we have provided an extension table having divided side aprons and an apron section pivotally mounted to the top of the table. The apron section is ornamentally finished on its exterior surface to match the apron proper. The apron section may be retracted by pivoting it up against the table top behind the apron proper when the table is closed. It is swung down into alignment with the apron to fill the gap in the apron when the table is extended.

In the following description, the terms inwardly and outwardly are to be taken to mean inwardly toward 2,734,788 Patented Feb. 14, 1956 therefrom.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a drop leaf table having a top 11 and a hinged drop leaf 12 on each end. The drop leaves 12 are secured to the top 11 by the hinges 13. It will be recognized that the hinge 13 illustrated is a conventional hinge and that any other type of attachment suitable for securely supporting the drop leaves 12 may be utilized in the practice of our invention.

The top 11 is supported by a pedestal'or base 14. The base 14 includes the legs 15 tied together by a telescoping slide assembly 16 (Fig. 3). The telescoping slide assembly 16 includes an inner runner 17 secured to the table top, an outer runner 18 secured to the legs and an intermediate runner 19. The various components of the telescoping slide assembly are so interlocked that the only relative movement permitted between the parts is longitudinal of the assembly.

It will be recognized that we have described a conventional type of telescoping slide assembly. Any other slide assembly performing the same function may be used in connection with our invention since the slide assembly itself forms no part of this invention.

Between the legs 15 on each side of the table and forming part of the base 14, is an apron 24. The apron 24 is divided at 25 at the center and thus consists of a pair of identical apron pieces 26 and 27. The apron 24 may be of any desired construction, either plain as illustrated or ornamented, depending upon the type and style of furniture involved.

Mounted to the table top 11 behind the apron 24 is an apron section 30. The apron section 30 has a length equal to the length of the gap created between the apron pieces 26 and 27 when the table is open. The apron piece 30 has the same depth as the apron 24 and is externally finished to match the apron 24. Thus, when it is in its lowered or vertical position, as it appears in Fig. 3 in solid lines, it will appear to be a continuation of the apron pieces 26 and 27.

The apron section 30 is secured to the top 11 by means of a hinge 31. The hinge 31 is so located that when the apron section 30 is in its vertical position, it is aligned flush with the apron pieces 26 and 27. When it is pivoted into its retracted position, horizontal with the top 11 (as indicated by the phantom lines in Fig. 3), all of the apron section lies inwardly of and behind the apron 24. In retracted position it is concealed when the table is closed and does not interfere with the closure of the table.

The apron section 30 on each side, adjacent its lower end, is provided with a spring loaded detent 32, designed to engage a mating part on the end face of each of the apron sections 26 and 27. A spring clip 33 is mounted to the top 11 and depends therefrom to engage the edge of the apron section 30 and detachably hold it in retracted position.

As a substitute for the spring clip' 33, a block 34 may be mounted to the top 11 at each end of the apron section 30 in a position to engage the detents 32. Each of the blocks 34 is equipped with a mating section 35 for the detents 32 (Fig. 4).

In the construction of the table, the telescoping slide assembly 16 is mounted inwardly from the apron a distance sufilcient to permit the apron section 30 to be folded into retracted position between the apron 24 and the slide assembly without interference.

Modifications It will be recognized that it is sometimes desirable in a drop leaf table, having drop leaves at both ends, to use the table with only one leaf up. When this is the case, the apron section 300 (Fig. maybe divided into two individually mounted portions 40 and 41. Each of the portions 40 and 41 is mounted in a manner identical to the apron section 30 and each is provided with a detent 32 on each end to engage either with the apron 24 or with the adjacent portion of the apron section. A pair of the spring clips 33 are secured to the table top 11, each holding one portion of the apron section in retracted position.

Our invention may be applied to an extension table employing removable center leaves 50 as well as to one employing end drop leaves. When this is done, the apron sections 30b (Fig. 6) are mounted on the removable leaf 50. Each of the apron sections 30b is mounted to the leaf 50 by means of a hinge 51 similar to the hinge 13 used for the drop leaves. When the apron sections 30b are in their retracted position, they are each held by a spring clip 33 mounted on the bottom face of the drop leaf. The drop leaf may be equipped with the usual holes 52 and pegs 53 to properly align the leaf in the table and to prevent it from being lifted after the table has been closed about the leaf.

If so desired, the hinges 51 may be eliminated and the apron sections 30b rigidly mounted to the leaf 50. When this is done, they cannot be retracted. This, however, is not a preferable construction because it spaces the leaves so widely that they waste appreciable space when stored.

It will also be recognized that our invention may be applied to a table employing both removable center leaves and end drop leaves. When this is the case, the divided construction illustrated in Fig. 5 is used for the apron section 300, one being mounted to the table top each side of the central break in the table top to close the gap created by the outward movement of the legs under the leaves prior to the separation of the legs to create a gap at the center of the table to receive the removable leaves. Each of the removable leaves 50 is equipped with an apron section 30b to cooperate with and match the apron 24 and apron sections 40 and 41.

Operation.

To utilize a table equipped with our invention, the table is first opened. As the apron pieces 26 and 27 separate, the apron section 30 is exposed. When the table is fully opened, the apron section 30 is grasped and by a slight pull disengaged from the clip 33. It then swings easily down into alignment with the apron pieces 26 and 27. A slight additional pullcauses the detents 32 to engage, securing the apron section 30 in proper alignment with the apron 24.

Use of the apron section 30a is identical except that each portion of the apron section is lowered separately. Whether both or only one of the portions is lowered will depend upon the amount the table 10 is extended.

It will be recognized that our invention provides a simple, inexpensive but elfective solution to a difiicult problem. Furniture incorporating our invention has a finished appearance with all disclosure of the internal, functional structure eliminated.

It will be recognized that modifications of our invention may be made, each without departing from the principle thereof. Each of these modifications is to be considered as included in the hereinafter appended claim unless this claim by its language expressly states otherwise.

We claim:

In an extension table having a top with a center section and two hinged drop leafs on each side thereof;

an extensible base adjustably mounted below said top and adapted to be extended on either side relative to said center section when said drop leafs are pivoted upwardly flush with said center section, said base having an apron broken at one point for separation into two side apron parts when said base is extended; a center apron divided into two portions; means pivotally mountingsaid center apron at its upper edge to the underside of said center section between said side apron parts when said base is extended; said portions of said center apron being pivotally mounted on each side of the point of the break of the apron of said base whereby said base can be selectively extending on either side and the'portion of the center apron on the extended side can be swung downwardly to fill the gap created between the two side aprons of said base.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS De Gaal Mar. 10, 1953 

